Laâyoune, presentation of the city

Built by the Spanish in 1932, Laâyoune was in the beginning a large oasis on the Saquia el Hamra wadi (mythical river to which J.M.Le Clézio refers in ' Desert ') which crosses the Moroccan Sahara from East to West.

Where to sleep in Laâyoune?
It is today the provincial capital of the Moroccan Sahara and a significant administrative and mining centre.

It is today the provincial capital of the Moroccan Sahara and a significant administrative and mining centre.

The city saw growing its economic importance thanks to the vicinity of the Boukra phosphate mines, to the proximity of the Canaries islands, and the will of the Moroccan government.

Laâyoune presents a central majestic place, bordered of craftsmen and jewellers shops. The buildings were designed in a modern style respecting traditional Saharan architecture. From the place expends direct streets sided by generally low houses, frequently capped with cupolas. The old neighbourhood, in the lower part of the city, with its cathedral testifies to the Spanish past.

It is also the city-stage from which starts the desert adventure with sand dunes covering a surface of 300 km to the south of the city and where halts several car rallies.